Hello! Here is the next chapter, Bella's birthday...let's see how it goes :-)

Chapter 6
The birthday

A week after chapter 5

B POV

Its Sunday, today mom and I are celebrating my birthday. It's been four years since my last with her, so she was making up for the time apart. It was eight in the morning, I got up and ready, mom and I had an appointment at the spa.

After a quick breakfast we went out of the house, and mom let me drive. Dad had thought me and I had my driver's license, I needed to go and get the Florida license, before I could drive here, but mom let me anyway. I didn't own a car, I had an old pickup truck at forks but I couldn't bring it here because it didn't have AC, and it was way beat up for the streets of Florida, so we agreed that it should stay with dad back on Forks. I missed it though, and I missed dad too terribly.

We arrived at the spa and checked in, they led us to the changing rooms so we could change into robes, the first thing on the list was manicures and pedicures, so we headed that way. While we were there they gave us a cocktail, mine didn't have any alcohol in it, and it was delicious anyway.

When our hands and toes where done, we went to get facials, they did everything on our skins, what hurt the most was the exfoliating part, those women there exfoliated hard! After that mom and I went to get waxed, I've gone through this one before for mom's wedding so I knew what to expect, but I'm going to admit that it hurt a little.

"Beauty is pain Bella" mom said when I whined about it.

After that, we removed our facials and then we went to the sauna for 30 minutes… when we were out we hydrated and went to take our massages, finally. When they where half way on mine, I dozed off, when it was over they woke me up. The final task we had left was a makeover, okay I clarify mom said that my hair needed help so we went to a salon to take care of that.

They gave applied some special creams and masks to my hair, to revitalize it. After my ends, eyebrows, and bangs where cut and trimmed we headed to lunch.

After we ate, we headed to the mall; I needed more clothes according to mom. We went to almost every store, I had a lot of shopping bags but it was totally worth it, I had awesome outfits, and I also found a dress for tomorrow night and a cute outfit for tonight.

Tonight mom, Phil, and I were having dinner, then a movie and ice cream. We headed home with both the trunk and back seats full of bags. When we arrived home, I took my bags and went to my room, I had an hour or two to kill, so I hanged all the garments fast and laid down for a much needed nap.
An hour and a half later mom woke me up.

"Bella, sweetie is time to get ready for dinner" mom said opening the door a little, "okay mom thanks" I replied.

She left; I went to the bathroom to get ready.

After my shower I retouched my hair with the flat iron, and put a little coat of makeup. After that I dressed on what I had bought this afternoon; it was a striped, short puffed sleeved button down shirt, with a matching navy blue skirt, and platform shoes. I grabbed my cardigan and purse and headed downstairs.

"Wow Bella you look pretty" Phil said with a warm smile.

"Thanks" I replied.

Phil drove this time, on his car it was a convertible Bentley…very nice car. We arrived to Olive Garden, the waiter let us to our table and handed us the menu, he took our drink's order and left.

"What are you getting Bella?" Phil asked after a while, when the waiter came to take our order, I bit my bottom lip as I looked at the menu and deliberated. "Well, I think I'll take the chicken fettuccini Alfredo and a Cesar salad" I answered. The waiter then took mom and Phil's orders and left.

"So Bella, did you enjoy your day?" Phil asked "yeah, it was fun. I needed the girl time with mom since I haven't made any friends at school yet" I said taking a sip from my soda.

"So Phil…" I started "oh don't even think about it! I'm giving you your present tomorrow" he said with a mocking smile.

"Whatever" I said playfully, crossing my arms at my chest. We laughed, after that the conversation flowed and we talked about everything, I got along with Phil.

I remembered that he grounded me once and I was so mad at him, I even called dad but he told me that I had to obey. I was ten, it was a year after he started living with us, and we were on Jacksonville back then…

"Yeah I remember you where so mad to Charlie and me afterwards" Phil recalled with a laugh.

The conversation was good and dinner flowed comfortably, after the check was paid we made our way to the movie theater for the last part of my pre birthday celebration.

"Three adults tickets for Eat, Pray, Love" Phil said to the attendant at the entrance, she typed on the computer and gave us the tickets.

We all enjoyed Julia Roberts so we decided to watch this one. We chose our seats and a short while after we were seated the ads started playing, then ten minutes later the movie's opening credits appeared, the room went quiet.

When the movie was over we headed for the closest Cold Stone to get some ice cream. I ordered cream cheese ice cream, with graham crackers and strawberries; it was one of my favorites. They made me a huge ice cream ball. Gosh I missed my cold stone ice cream. It's been four years since my last. While we enjoyed our frozen delight, we discussed the movie. After that we went home. It had been a wonderful evening, but I was expecting my official birthday dinner tomorrow evening…

E POV

I still grazed my cheek where Bella kissed me goodbye, I couldn't believe it!
Alice and I went out on Saturday to get Bella's gift from my part, she didn't mention it but I wanted to give her something…so we both decided to go to Borders and buy her a book or two.

During the week I asked Bella, of the books she had read and the movies she had seen, I didn't knew them all but I didn't told her that. I knew the ones she like and loved. Of course she owned them so that's why I opted for the books.

I ended up buying her two that I knew she wanted to read really badly, but she hasn't got the time to buy the books for herself.
After I was done at the bookstore, Alice passed by the Godiva Chocolate window and another idea came to us.

I could also give her a box of chocolate, so we went in, "Come on Edward she'll love it!" Alice squeaked she was very excited.

We chose a bar for mom, one for Alice and me. After that we picked out a box for Bella. It was totally worth it, the box of mixed truffles was expensive but I didn't thought about that.

After that, Alice entered to another store to get some gift bags for me to put the books in and she needed at box for her own present.

Both of us went to bed exited that night.

B POV

"Happy birthday" mom repeated when she dropped me off.

I was going to stop at the library to get some copies, when I opened the door I tripped.

"So sorry! I was distracted" a guy said as he helped me. "Don't worry" I said after I steadied myself and arranged my clothes I looked up to him, I was surprised when I saw who he was.

"Jasper Whitlock?" I asked he looked back at me "do I know…Bella Swan!" he said surprised.

"Yes, Jasper is me" I said, "hey! Why didn't you tell me that you moved back?" he asked. "I didn't know if you still lived here or if you went to college somewhere else" I stated "silly Bella" Jasper replied.

Jasper and I have been friends since first grade, he was my best friend. He accompanied me to the library, and I updated him with what have been going on with me since I left here, of course he went to my mother's wedding so he knew the reason of my move.

"Hey Bella, I know what day is today!" he said I laughed, "Happy birthday" he said "thanks Jazz" I replied.

We where near my first classroom now.

"So what are you doing this year?" he asked "well since is a school night I'm having a dinner and then a cake. I invited 4 more people from here" I told him "do you mind if I join? You know I love your birthday cakes!" he asked. I looked at him "of course you can come, be there at six sharp" I grinned.

"Roger that" he said then he went his way…

E POV

I was getting ready to go to Bella's dinner party, mom only agreed when she saw the address, Bella lives in a control access residency group that wasn't far from where we lived. Alice as usual picked out my clothes this time I told her the colors I wanted to wear and she agreed. Corduroy black pants with a light blue shirt and a black corduroy jacket; instead of my converse I wore dress shoes and a matching belt. Alice said that Mike and my walking cane where going to stay at home, I sighed I wasn't planning on taking them anyway.

When Alice was done at 5:45 we went out to the car.

"I'm so excited Edward!" Alice said, yeah I knew that I could feel the seat moving with her bouncing. "Yeah I can feel that" I said she stopped bouncing.

"Thank you"

"For the record in very nervous, exited, and scared all the same time" I said

"Yeah I know" Alice replied.

After a few short minutes we arrived to Bella's house. I could hear the music inside, it wasn't too loud though. Alice helped me out; I took to her arm and tried to look natural.
Alice ringed the bell, a woman opened the door.

"Hello" she said "hi, we are Alice and Edward Masen, Bella invited us" Alice told her.

"Oh! I'm Renée Dwyer Bella's mom, come in" Renée said.

"Bella sweetie, Edward and Alice Masen are here…" she called.

A few seconds passed, I concentrated on hearing Bella as she approached to us; as soon as I smelled her perfume I smiled and sighed in relief. It wasn't a dream I really was here at her house on the most important day her birthday!

"So Bella do are you going to introduce me or not?" her mom said, Alice giggled and I chuckled.

"Oh right!" Bella said, "Mom this is Edward and Alice Mason. Guys this is my mother Renée Dwyer" Bella introduced. "Well Alice Edward, come on in welcome to our house" Renée said,

"Thank you" Alice and I said.

"Well Bella, I'll leave you guys to mingle out, I'll go check on dinner" she said and I heard as she walked away.

"The party is right here" Bella said to Alice as we walked, "your house is really nice Bella. I like it" Alice complimented "what about you Edward?" she asked me.

Great! Lie Edward, lie! My mind screamed at me. I of course followed its advice.

"I love it Bella" I said "thanks" she responded.

"Okay so here is the back living room where the party will be, the dinner will be at the terrace in 30 minutes. We just have to go through the French doors" Bella indicated I nodded smiling, "okay I'm going to get you some drinks, guys what you want?" she asked.

I thought, "Do you have sprite?" I asked Bella laughed alongside Alice "yes Edward! Okay that's one sprite and you Alice?" Bella asked "punch" Alice responded.

"Okay, I'll be back in a sec. Make yourselves at home" she said before going to fetch our drinks.

"So Alice…can you tell me how the house looks? I know I lied but I haven't told her yet…I'm scared, I don't want to scare her away. Please?" I begged.

"Of course Edward" Alice, described me the pats of Bella house that she got to see when she was directing us here. To me it sounded really nice and homey.

Bella came back with our drinks.

"Here Alice" she said, and then the couch sink…Oh my god Bella sat beside me! Okay why do I get so excited? She's the hostess anyway I mean she can seat wherever she wants.

"Here Edward" she said her hand near my thigh; I felt the coldness of the soda I took it. "Nicely done" Alice whispered, I smiled widely.

"So Bella did you had a nice birthday?" Alice asked as an ice breaker because I couldn't utter a word not with her so close to me.

"Well yeah actually mom and I had a great time yesterday when we went out to the spa and the mall" Bella said I could hear the smile, when she said this.

Alice mood shifted, she never spent time with mom like that, because mom was always busy with me and she was always left behind.

"That sounds nice" Alice said after that she sipped her drink, I did the same then I remembered her present.

"Hey Bella, I brought you something!" I said changing the subject Alice sighed beside me, "presents, right!" Alice said.

"Oh guys, that wasn't necessary" Bella protested, "here" I said lifting the gift bag so she could take it.

"Come on open it" Alice encouraged, Bella exhaled and I heard as she rummaged through the bag two seconds after, she gasped.

"Oh my god, this is amazing, just what I wanted!" Bella exclaimed, "What is it?" Alice asked like if she didn't know what it was, she found them for me.

"I saw the movie yesterday is the book Eat, Pray, Love" Bella answered.

"Look again there is something else" I said, she rummaged gain "aww Edward 'A walk to remember'by Nicholas sparks, thanks so much. I love it" she said.

"One more thing" I said as I handed her the Godiva mixed truffles box, Alice told me that it had a lilac bow around it, she did that because I told her that Bella's favorite color was lilac.

"Chocolate truffles, my favorite" Bella said I sighed, at least she liked my present "now my turn" Alice said giving Bella her gift. Bella opened it "thanks Alice is really nice, it looks handmade…?" she said "oh it is, I made it myself. That's my major fashion design" Alice said with pride.

She placed it back on the box and stood up, "I'm going to take this to mom; I'll be right back feel free to enjoy the party. There are some appetizers over there at that table" she said after that she was gone again.

Alice turned to look at me, "bro do you want something?" she asked "yeah I'm king of hungry" I responded.

A minute or two later Alice returned with two plates, she placed mine at my lap "I got you some chips and bite size sandwiches" she told me I took one and eat it. It was great.

When I was done, I asked Alice to take me to the bathroom, she asked Renée where it was and after she made sure I could be in there by myself she closed the door.

Five minutes later I was out, Alice went in after me.

The bell from Bella's front door rang.

"Daddy, daddy, daddy!" Bella exclaimed in a surprised cry "happy birthday kiddo" her dad responded.

"Dad, what a surprise!" she said, "I told you I was coming to visit you Bells. I didn't say when though" her dad replied. "Hello Charlie" Renée said "wow this house hasn't changed a bit since the last time I visited" he said "yeah I know, although my room is bigger now. Mom expanded it before I came here…"

"Jacob!" Bella exclaimed again.

"Hi there beautiful" a huskier voice said "but how…?" she asked after the front door was closed.

Alice came out of the bathroom "what's all the commotion?" she asked

"Bella's dad" I said Alice held my arm. "Okay, and who's the other guy? He has his arm around her waist" Alice commented.

Something inside me stirred, and I felt a lump in my throat I try to swallow it back, I ended up coughing "are you okay Edward?"
Alice said patting my back "yeah, yeah I'm fine" I said "are you sure?" Bella's sweet voice said with concern… How did she get here so fast? "Yeah" I said.

"Who are these Bella?" her father asked as I heard him get to us.

"Dad this are Edward, and his sister Alice, guys this is my father chief Charlie Swan" she responded "chief?" Alice asked.

"Yeah I'm the police chief on the town of Forks Washington" Charlie said, "Washington state" he clarified.

"Well nice to meet you" we said as we shook hands with him.

"And this is Jacob black" Bella added, "hello Alice, Edward. Nice too meet you" he said.

After Alice shacked his hand it was my turn, his hand was big…I don't know for me it felt like big. After that there was an awkward silence.

Bella broke it "well dinner is almost done. Meanwhile Jake, come on let me show you the rest of the house. Alice, do you want to come with us?" she asked "yeah sure…Edward?" she asked me.

"Um no, I'll stay here" I replied Alice sighed "um you go ahead I'll follow in a second" Alice said Bella agreed and left with Jacob.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked me when she helped me get to the couch again. "Yeah I'm fine Alice, go" I replied, she left.

A lot of stuff went through my mind while I waited for them to come back. The way Bella's voice sounded when she greeted him, she sounded so exited and the way he greeted her "hello beautiful"what if Jacob was Bella's boyfriend or something? I felt really weird when my mind wondered n the thought…why?

Several minutes later Bella and Alice returned with…Jacob.

"Wow Bella your house is incredible, my house is big but your feels so warm and homey is very nice" Alice was saying.

Yeah our house was big and full of stuff but if felt empty, it had been empty since my dad died in that accident where I lost vision. Nothing has been the same after that, and it will never be; not without him there.

"Dinner's ready, everyone please go to the terrace" Renée announced form the hallway.

"Thank god because I'm starving" Jacob said, "oh Jake you're always hungry" Bella replied.

"What? It was along flight and they don't give food in airplanes anymore!" Jacob complained as we all stood up and Alice led me to the terrace.

The warm Florida air welcomed us outside. "Oh Renee this is wonderful" Alice squealed beside me. "Thanks Alice" Renée answered

When we were seated the doorbell rang again "no, no Bella you stay here I'll open okay?" Alice suggested. I guess Bella nodded because Alice left my side…

A POV

I rose from the table and went to open the door, it was a guy.

"Hello" he said "hi there, are you here for Bella's dinner party?" I asked "yes" he replied. It took me a moment to react; he was tall and had like a blondish brown hair and very blue eyes. He took my breath away for a moment.

"Come in, dinner just started you arrived just in time" I said closing the door behind him.

"I'm Alice Mason by the way" I said dumbly "Jasper Alexander Whitlock" he replied.

"Nice to meet you" we both said at the same time, it was funny.
I let him back to the terrace, he found a seat beside a girl that Bella introduced me earlier her name was Angela her neighbor, and she was nice.

"Jazz! I thought you weren't coming" Bella scolded him with a smile.

"My apologies my lady" jasper said.

"Hi Renée" he said,

"Jasper son, haven't see you in a while" Charlie said "hey chief what's up?" he said.

"Not much" Bella's dad replied.

After that jasper sat.

E POV

"Let's dig in" Jacob said "Jake, please behave." Bella said I laughed under my breath.

The food was being passed around, the menu was simple and it was Bella's favorite meal. Mushroom ravioli, with breadsticks and Caesar salad. And to drink we had choices, non alcoholic wine, soda and lemonade. I chose the lemonade.

"This is good" Jacob commented after a while. "Yeah" Alice said "who cooked?" Charlie asked "the girls cooked" Phil, Bella's step dad answered.

Bella introduced him to me earlier, he seemed nice enough.

It must be weird to have both your dad and step dad on the same table, but they didn't sound bothered by that fact at all.

Indeed dinner was great, we were having a good time, with a slow conversation about everything and anything, and Charlie told some of Bella's stories from when she was with him at Forks. Some of them were hilarious to us not to Bella.

After the laughter subsided, and the table was clear form dinner plates Renée announced that it was time for Bella's presents; well too late I already gave her mine.

"Here Bella" Jasper pitched in, we waited for Bella to open it.

"Aww thanks. This is great" she said "let me see what is it?" Renée asked.

"Is a mood ring" Bella responded.

"Now is my turn" Jacob said "thanks Jake" Bella said after he gave her his gift. "Is a dream catcher" he explained. We all learned that Jacob was a Native American form the Quileute tribe, and he has been friends with Bella since he was born three years after her so he was just a kid.

Everyone that was left gave Bella her presents; Phil gave Bella a gift certificate from Borders, and Angela an iTunes gift card.

Her coworker Jane brought her a lavender blouse that Bella loved. The only ones left where Renée and Charlie.

"Well, Bella now is our turn" Renée said, "we have to go to the driveway to see your present Bella, is quite big" Charlie said. Everyone was silent.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go to the rive way to find out" the latecomer Jasper said. I suppose everyone agreed because Alice was telling me to stand so we could follow.

"What could it be?" I heard Bella ask someone.

"We're about to find out" Angela replied.

We walked from the terrace to the back family room then trough the small hall that led to the kitchen and main area of the house, and then I heard the front door open.

"Close your eyes bells, no peeking" Charlie said to Bella.

"Oh come on show me already" Bella whined, Alice gasped beside me.

"Oh my god!" Alice exclaimed. "What is it?" I whispered but Alice didn't answer, then I heard Bella "oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" she said excitement on her voice.

"Unbelievable! Is a car!" she said answering my earlier question.

"Is not just a car, is a 2010 hybrid Lexus" Jacob said proudly.

"The finest one yet" Jasper added.

Too bad I couldn't see it, I had a Mercedes but I don't know how a Mercedes looked like, Alice said that it was a beautiful car; I always believed what she says.

"But how did you hide this from me all this time?" Bella asked Renée after she recovered her voice "is beautiful, mom, dad thanks." She said lovingly.

"You deserve that and more Bella" Charlie said "it was nothing" Renée added.

"Thanks I love you guys" she said.

"Why don't you take it for a ride while I set everything up for dessert?" Renée suggested, "Great idea mom, guys you want to come?" Bella asked us.

Angela, Jasper, and of course Jacob agreed to go, Alice hesitated she didn't want to leave me here and I didn't want to go, I couldn't stand Jacob. And I didn't even know why I felt that way.

"Go Alice, I'll be fine, have some fun girl!" I encouraged her "sure you'll be okay?" she asked again "yes mom, I'll be fine" I snorted "okay then see ya' in a few" she said after kissing my cheek and leaving with the others.

I turned back to the house with the adults, the way from the front door to the terrace was clear, I mean it didn't had obstacles for me to trip over, so I made it back to the terrace safely.

I sat on the table where moments ago we had dinner and enjoyed the night air; I could hear the beach near, maybe the ocean was close to Bella's back part of the house.

As I waited for them to return my mind occupied itself with more thinking. What was Jacob's place in Bella's life? Did anyone notice what my incapacity is? Did they think I'm weird, shy or quiet? I have to admit that I'm shy I don't relate with people besides Alice, my mom, my optometrist, and now…Bella…

They had arrived could hear Alice's exited voice "that was a nice ride Bella; I wish I knew how to drive…" Alice said with longing.

"Well guys the birthday cake is ready" Phil announced, everyone headed back to the terrace.

"Do you mind if I seat here?" Angela asked to the spot beside mine, I denied with my head, she sat.

"What's your name again?" she asked me "Edward Masen" I replied politely, my hand stretched she took it "Edward, nice name" she said.

"Just like Angela" I said she giggled, I smiled.

Alice then came to seat beside me as usual. The rest sat and Renée came with the cake.

"Well guys, here it is angel food cake frosted with whipped cream and chocolate drizzled strawberries. Bella's favorite" she said everyone agreed even me, that sounded very mouthwatering.

"Everybody stand. Let's sing happy birthday" Jane said we all obeyed, "on the count of three, 1, 2, 3" she counted to three, we all started singing at different paces.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Bella, happy birthday to you" we sang.

"Make a wish" Renée said after a minute Bella blew the candles. We all cheered and clapped.

Then the cake was cut, and passed around, Alice handed me a piece, I stated eating.

"Mmm, this is great" I said after the first bite, everyone agreed. I could taste every ingredient it was delicious.

After we all ate a second piece and gave a toast on Bella's name, the table was clear and everyone chatted animatedly.

"Alice, what time is it?" I asked "9:45" she replied. Yep just like I sensed, it was time to go "Alice, sorry to spoil the fun but we have to go James will arrive any minute" I said.

"Okay" Alice replied resigned, she was having fun and I again ruined it as usual.

"Bella, Edward and I are leaving we have curfew" she said sharp at the end.

"Oh…too bad, okay; Let me accompany you to the door" she said sweetly.

"Bye guys, goodnight" Alice said as a farewell to the other attendants.

"Goodbye Alice, Edward" some of them replied we moved out of the terrace, Bella walked beside me.

We where outside, "James is here" Alice announced, I heard James park the car. "Bye Bella" Alice said.

"Thanks for coming" she said after that Alice kissed Bella on the cheek and opened the door to get in the car.

It was my turn to say goodbye.

"Bye Bella, thanks for the invitation. It was a great dinner, and the cake was exquisite" I said with a smile.

"You're welcome" Bella said "thanks for the presents! Goodnight, see you tomorrow at English Lit." Bella added but before I could turn around to get in the car Bella kissed my cheek again, and as before I froze.

"Goodbye Edward" she finally said.

"Night Bella, happy birthday" I added smiling again.

I got in the car; James closed his door and drove away.

Bella had dazzled me again.

Well, thats all she wrote...LOL, If you want to see the outfits and pictures of the presents and Bella's car go to the blog!

theblindsideofloveff(.)wordpress(.)com

Now push that button and leave me some thoughts... Nightline I hope you had liked this chapter...? ;-) see ya tomorrow.